Gold Glove finalists announced

New York, NY (SportsNetwork.com) - The entire infield of the Tampa Bay Rays
could earn Gold Glove awards, as the finalists for the 2013 honors were
announced Friday.

Winners of the prestigious defensive awards will be announced Tuesday.

Tampa Bay's infield of first baseman James Loney, second baseman Ben Zobrist,
shortstop Yunel Escobar and third baseman Evan Longoria are among the three
finalists at each of their respective positions.

Joining Loney as finalists at first base in the American League are Kansas
City's Eric Hosmer and Baltimore's Chris Davis, while second base finalists
with Zobrist are two-time winner Robinson Cano of the New York Yankees and
Boston's Dustin Pedroia.

Escobar will contend with Kansas City's Alcides Escobar and last year's winner
J.J. Hardy of Baltimore at shortstop, while third base could have the closest
voting. Longoria, winner in 2009-10, has stiff competition with four-time
winner Adrian Beltre of Texas and AL fielding percentage leader Manny Machado
of Baltimore.

In the National League, St. Louis catcher Yadier Molina is in position for his
sixth Gold Glove. He'll be challenged by 2007 winner Russell Martin of
Pittsburgh and A.J. Ellis of the Dodgers.

Dodgers right-hander Zack Greinke is a finalist among pitchers, along with St.
Louis' Adam Wainwright and Arizona's Patrick Corbin.

Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt will compete with Anthony Rizzo of
the Cubs and two-time winner Adrian Gonzalez of Los Angeles, while the second
base finalists are last year's winner Darwin Barney of the Cubs, Mark Ellis of
the Dodgers and Cincinnati's Brandon Phillips, a three-time winner.

Colorado's Troy Tulowitzki will try for his third Gold Glove at shortstop and
is joined by Washington's Ian Desmond and Atlanta's Andrelton Simmons, while
third base contenders are David Wright of the Mets, Juan Uribe of the Dodgers
and Colorado's Nolan Arenado.

The outfield finalists are two-time winner Carlos Gonzalez of Colorado, Eric
Young Jr. of the Mets and Pittsburgh's Starling Marte in left; Milwaukee's
Carlos Gomez, Washington's Denard Span and Andrew McCutchen of Pittsburgh in
center; and Cincinnati's Jay Bruce, Arizona's Gerardo Parra and Atlanta's
Jason Heyward in right. Gonzalez, McCutchen and Heyward won last year.